The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1887-03-03
GENERAL WASHINGTON De.
NoUNcED AS A TRAlToa.

| Al u'i iuuub 'ue puonC huu ItiNu'e
characters Of Chief Magistrates have
been assaulted, aud no man, living
or dead, was ever moro cruelty
maligned or more outfageously do.
famed than George Washington,
Let us adduce but fragment or
two from The mass Of scurrili'y hemp
cd upon him. lie was denounced az
"a traitor "fcr his proclamation OF
April 1893, declaring annity with tho
belligerout ro~eis of Earope aud
warning citizens Of the United
States against all movements incou-
s'stent with neutrality. For this
Plain act OF duty under his oath he
was held mp to public scorn, ho was
accused Of hostility TO Franco aud
II secret favor to Euglspd, and MS
one of the results of this danuucia-
ton at tho opening Of the Third
Congress in the ensuing December,
tho administration candidate for
Speaker was defeated by an emphatic
majority,
The Aurora Of that day ssid: "li
ever nation was debauched by q
man the American nation has been
debauched by Washington. If ever
u nation has been deceived by man,
the American nation has been deceive
ed by Washington Let bis conduct,
then, be m example to future ages.
Let it serve as warning that no
man may become an idol. Lit the
history of tho Federal Govermont in
struct mankind that the mask Of pa
.riotism may be worn to conceal the
foulest designs against the liberties
of the people" In letter to Henry
Lee, under date OF July 81, 1893,
Washington spoke Of the violence
with which his policy bad bee as
sailed. But il what" Gays be, twill
this abuse terminate? For the res
suit, as it respects myself, J care
not, for l bavo consolation ,'itbin
that no earthly efforts can deprive
me Of and that is, that neither
ambition nor interested motives have
Influenced my conduct, aifi tie ar
rows Of malevolence; therefore, how
ever barbed and well-pointed, never
can reach the most vulnerable part
of me, though, while am up as a
mark, they will be continually aimed
The publications in Freeman's and
Bucks papers are outrages on com.
mon decency.'
When, on one occasion, as Jefier.
son tells US, Knox made somo allus-
ions to recent libels uttered by the
press, Washington became very much
excited. "got into ono OF those
passions when he cannot command
himself; dselt much on the personal
abuee which had been bestowed
upon him, defed any man on earth
TO produce one siugle act OF his
since be had been in the government
which had not been done with the
purest motives He had never re-
pented but once his baving slipped
tho moment Of resigning his Office
and that was every moment since
and, by God, he had rather been in
his grave than in his present situa-
tiop. He had rather be on his farm
than be made emperor OF the world,
and yet they were charging him with
wanting to bo king. That rascal
Freeman sent him three of his papers
every day, as if be would become
the distributor OF them--an act in
which he could see nothing but an
impudent design to insult him"
On tho second day after Washing
toms retirement from tho Presiden.
tial chair the following appeared in
Aurora: lord, now lettest Thou
Thy servant depart in peace for mine
eyes have seen Thy salvation was
the pious ejaculation Of a man who
bebeld food Of happiness rushing
in upon mankind. II ever there was
q time which would license tho reit-
GRAFTON OF this exclamation that time
is now arrived, for the man who is
the source Of all the misfortnnes OF
our country is this day reduced to
the level with his fellow citizens"
Such attributes against the foremost
man OF the nation show that persons
al vituperation is not a modern wea>
pom. Indeed, there has never been
time when respectable newspapers
watched their utterances 80 carefully
as when the people themselves, 90
far from accentinU avarv .csud.l